Snow and ice melter.



PATENTED JAN. 8, 1907.

R. RICKAR-D. snow AND IGE MBLTER. AP PLIGATION FILED NOV. 2. 19Q8.

,. WAENINdYON. D. c.

REBEOCA RIOKABD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SNOW AND ICE MELTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 8, 1907.

Application filed Novembe 2, 1906. Serial No. 341.691.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, REBnccA RIOKARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snow and Ice Melters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming part of the same.

My invention relates to devices for clearing pavements of snow or ice by melting the same, and has for its object to provide a device for this purpose which shall be thoroughly efiioient, yet simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel features of construction, arrangements of parts, and combinations of elements hereinafter described, and more particularly set forth in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the inven tion, Figure 1 is an under plan view of the device. Fig. 2 is a section on line II II, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on line III III, Fig. 2. I

The main element of the device is a downwardly-open hood 1, preferably rectangular in plan and of conico-pyramidal formthat is, with the walls 3f the pyramid curved instead of plane. The hood may be constructed in any convenient wayfor; example, by shaping a metal sheet by means, of suitable dies. The top of the hood is preferably flat to receive on its under side within the hood a fire-box 2,. secured by rivets extending through the flat top of the hood. The firebox is rectangular in plan, as shown, and is filled with absorbent material, preferably of a fibrous character and non-combustible, as asbestos. The absorbent material is retained in the fire-box by a sheet of wiregauze 3, resting -on the inwardly-turned flanges 4 of angle members, riveted to the walls of the fire-box.

At the corners of the hood are casters 6, mounted in supports or bearings 7, formed of stri s of sheet metal bent to the 1proper shape an riveted in the angles of the 00d.

On top of the hood is a socket 8, formed by a strip of sheet metal bent to a half-round shape, with flanges 9 riveted to the top of the hood. In the socket thus formed is inserted a handle 10, by which the device may be manipulated. The handle-socket is preferably tapered slightly, as shown, so that the handle, though readily removable, may be securely held in position by frictional contact.

In using the device alcohol, gasolene, kerosene, or other oil is poured on the absorbent material in the fire-box and ignited. The device is then moved about over the snow or ice to be melted, and the flame being confined by the hood and the heat directed downward the melting takes place rapidly. When not in use, the fire-box may be closed by a closely-fitting lid 11, which serves to protect the contents of the box and also to preserve from evaporation any oil which may remain in the absorbent filler.

From the foregoing it will be clear that the device is simple in construction and equally simple as to use. It may be manufactured at low cost and provides an effective and rapid means of clearing a sidewalk or other pavement of snow and ice. The form herein specifically described is the preferred embodiment of the invention and may be modified in various ways without departure from the proper scopeof the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A. snow and ice melter, com rising in combination, a downwardly-open ood provided with casters by which it may be readily moved about, a fire-box supported inside the hood and opening downwardly, a body of absorbent material in the box, to be saturated with combustible liquid, and a handle for moving the device about over the surface to be cleared of ice or snow, as set forth.

2. A snow and ice melter, comprising in combination, a downwardly-open hood of substantially pyramidal form, provided at its corners with casters by which it may be moved about, a downwardly-open fire-box secured to the top of the hood inside the same, a body of absorbent material in the box, to be saturated with combustible liquid, a screen of wire-gauze supported in the firebox to retain the absorbent material therein,

and a removable handle for moving the device about over the surface to be cleared of ice or snow, as set forth.

REBECCA RIOKARD.

Witnesses:

M. LAWSON DYER, S. S. DUNHAM. 

